Popular Nigerian media personality, Ifedayo Olarinde, known as Daddy Freeze, has once again spoken out about his controversial friendship with convicted internet fraudster, Hushpuppi, insisting he never benefited financially from the relationship.
Hushpuppi, whose real name is Ramon Abbas, was arrested by the FBI in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2020 for his involvement in a $1.1 million transnational cyber fraud and later convicted in the United States.
Before the arrest, Daddy Freeze visited Hushpuppi’s lavish Palazzo Versace residence in Dubai in 2019, sharing videos praising the socialite. The move sparked heavy backlash from Nigerians after Hushpuppi's crimes came to light.
In a fresh statement addressing the criticism, Daddy Freeze maintained he never received money or gifts from Hushpuppi.
“Hushpuppi has never given me money before… never given me anything, not $1 ever!” he stated firmly.
He acknowledged that while Hushpuppi didn’t offer him financial support, he offered him something else — friendship during a difficult time.
“Back then, nobody wanted to associate with me. People believed I was the devil. But Hushpuppi reached out and gave me friendship,” he explained.
Daddy Freeze also reflected on how they met, recalling that he was invited to Dubai along with other influencers — many of whom didn’t welcome him due to his outspoken nature and his controversial #FreeTheSheeple movement, which criticized religious doctrines.
“At that time, my church of 10 years rejected me, and many people distanced themselves from me. Out of nowhere, Hushpuppi sent me a DM asking, ‘Where are you? Come over.’
“We hung out with friends, talked, took pictures, and he even put me on his Snapchat. Why would I turn my back on someone who stood by me when others didn’t?”
Daddy Freeze admitted that he may have suspected Hushpuppi’s wealth wasn’t from legitimate sources but pointed to Nigerian singer Davido’s famous lyrics, *‘Dey for who dey for you’*, suggesting loyalty to friends is a value he holds dear.
He clarified, however, that he never condoned fraud and would not have associated with Hushpuppi had he known about his crimes.
“I didn’t know him to be a criminal. If I did, I wouldn’t have hung out with him. I don’t support fraud in any way. And unless someone is proven guilty, I won’t discriminate against them. Christ didn’t discriminate against anyone — that’s the Christianity I follow,” he concluded.
Daddy Freeze’s remarks have reignited debate online, with some praising his loyalty while others question the judgment behind befriending a figure whose lifestyle raised eyebrows even before his arrest.
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